Our collective bargaining rights are under attack! Unless it is defeated, the House Ways and Means budget proposal will give municipalities the right to force municipal employees into the Group Insurance Commission or make plan design changes, including increasing copayments and deductibles, without collective bargaining.

This issue will be decided by the House over the next three days. Please take the time now to contact your state representative and urge him or her to support the Municipal Health Insurance Amendment filed by Representative Martin Walsh and co-sponsored by 52 other legislators.

Phone calls are very effective. You can reach your representative through the House switchboard at 617-722-2000.

April 28 is Educator Day

Lobbying in person is the most effective of all. Plan to come to Boston on Thursday, April 28, to talk to your representative about the importance of collective bargaining. MTA is working with a coalition of public employee unions on this issue. Each day during budget week – April 25-29 – members of these unions will come in on different days to lobby. April 28 is Educator Day, though you should feel free to come in any day that week if April 28 is not convenient. Legislators work into the evening during budget week, giving MTA members a rare opportunity to meet with them in person late in the day after work. Check with your local president about transportation options.